|
Background
Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a significant issue in Atlantic Canada. Effective treatment prioritizes individual needs through harm reduction and peer support. Peer workers with lived experience foster trust and engagement in care. River Stone Recovery Centre offers trauma-informed treatment, including Opioid Agonist Therapy (OAT), Injectable OAT, Stimulant Replacement Therapy, and Hepatitis C treatment. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recognizes peer support as vital in reducing healthcare burdens and improving outcomes. This study examines the role of social inclusion, person-centered therapies, and lived experience peer workers in sustaining treatment engagement for individuals with SUD.
Description of Model of Care
This study synthesizes evidence from programs using lived experience peer support. Key components include:
Social Inclusion: Engaging individuals with lived experience fosters trust, reduces stigma, and improves adherence to treatment.
Person-Centered Therapies: Tailoring treatment enhances engagement, satisfaction, and mental health outcomes.
Lived Experience Peer Workers & Counselors: These professionals improve therapeutic relationships, reduce stigma, and promote active participation.
Harm reduction programs integrate peer workers to support clients, facilitate therapy, and serve as intermediaries with clinicians, emphasizing autonomy over abstinence.
Effectiveness
Peer support improves treatment adherence, community engagement, and reduces stigma. A middle-way approach aligns with best practices, regulations, and ethical frameworks. Using Beck Depression and Anxiety scales shows reduced anxiety and depression among clients involved in peer support and counseling services. Engagement with external health services, employment, hobbies, and family connections also improved.
Conclusion & Next Steps
Integrating social inclusion, person-centered therapies, and lived experience peer workers improves SUD outcomes. Clients report better employment, literacy, family connections, societal engagement, and reduced substance use. Accessible naloxone and training prevent overdoses. Barriers like stigma and long wait times hinder access to treatment in New Brunswick. Quick access to peer workers improves outcomes.
|